Document mmEw607naNDZaxkr0QmeMvyjg

I w R G RAO EE & oo. RESEARCH DIVISION h A S H I NGTOH RFSEARCH CENTER 7379 ROUTE 32, COLUMBIA, MARYLAND 21044 Telephone 301 - 5.31-5711 CONSOLIDATED MONTHLY REPORT SEPTEMBER 1973 This Consolidated Monthly Summary contains the technical Information for September 1973- Because of the highly confidential nature of Its contents, circulation is limited. Those receiving copies are requested to limit access to only those members within their organi zation who have a real need-to-know. GRACE CONFIDENTIAL 1 52080b1 MONTHLY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 1973 CONSOLIDATED EDITION G RACE C ON? HE NT IA L NOT TO GO OUTSIDE THE U.S. This report contains information on the following activities at the Washington Research Center: PROJECT TITLE PROJECT NO. PAGE DAREX Desalting Plant Services Mono-Kote Product Improvement Improved Vermiculite Expansion New Construction Products Composite ZIC CPD Horticultural Mixes Chattanooga Pollution Control Phosphate Slimes Recovery Auto Exhaust Catalyst Ceramic Monolith - WRC Support HYPOLTM Type FHP Textile Specialties Epoxy Hardeners Modified Epoxy Resins Leveling Agent for Epoxy Lacquer Organic Solder Printable Water-Based Release Coatings ISC Projects Polystyrene Bead Board shrinkage AIrmold Support Fire Retardancy - Marco Polyester Resins Flammability of Photopolymers Urethane-Vermiculite Foam Composites Golding Brothers Consultation Urethane Foam Flammability Studies Diols From Isobutyraldehyde Fire News Digest Photopolymer Wear Coating for Resilient Flooring Dry-Film Photoresist Solder Photoresist Polyene Inventory 2451 2 659 2 682 2 680 2 681 2 683 2 601 4801 2302 2304 1432 1439 1404 1408 1445 1448 1435 1441 1437 1561 1407 1387 2561 1560 1432 1559 1343 1372 1387 1392 1 -3 4 5 5 5 6 6 6a 6b 7 8 8 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14 14 15 15 15 16 16 17 21 15208086 CONSOLIDATED EDITION PROJECT TITLE CHRON -X ^ D A U! Y Methane Inhibition Enzymatic Treatment of Feedlot Bloat Scours Preventative FRADIASE Ammonium Isobutyrate Bound Enzymes Anti-Cancer Research CleaR Pilot Plant Production Vermiculite Thermal Expansion LETTERFLEX Scanning Laser System Research Division Activity Report October 5.< 1973 PROJECT NO. PAGE 4640 464 7 4649 4650 4634 4635 4631 4629 4663 2187 2186 2684 1385 22 22 23 23 23 24 24 24 25 26 26 27 28a Appendix 15208087 CONSOLIDATED EDITION -3 - October 5j 1973 MONO-KOTE PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT (Project 2659) Shrinkage and cracking of Mono-Kote have been serious field prob lems remedied only by removal and replacement. Means of circum vention have been found by CPD aa follows: 1. Avoid vermiculite fines. 2. Use No. 3 and avoid No. 4 vermiculite. 3. Use higher gypsum ratio. 4. Use Libby in preference to Kearney Vermiculite. . 5. Minimum handling to avoid attrition which, of course, gives fines. 6. Add fiberglas (MK-V). Our role in this program has been to determine the fundamental properties of Mono-Kote components (gypsum plaster or ZOU and vermiculite) and their Interaction in Mono-Kote mortars as related to shrink-crack. The WRC experimental program agreed upon with CPD has been termi nated. A final report is being prepared. Following is a summary of findings : . I. ZOU (CaSOi -JH20 + additives) 1. Three samples - National Gypsum ZOU + water (neat paste) did not crack when cured at 75^ R.H. and 75F. 2. Two samples - U.S. Gypsum ZOU (neat paste) cracked at same condition as (l). II. ZQU/Verroiculite Mortars (i.c. plus water) 1. Shrink-cracking of MK-IV Is inversely pro portional to flexural strength of mortars. 2. Average flexural strength of Kearney Vermi culite mortar is greater than Libby. 3. Over-watering gives cracking. Each Mono-Kote with specific vermiculite has an optimum water ratio which when exceeded causes cracking. 15208088 CONSOLIDATED EDITION 4 October 5, 1S73 4. Water demand of attrlted vermlculite mortars Is lower than usual, leading to over-watering (and cracking). III. Vermlculite 1. Libby Vermlculite lj to 4 times more attrition resistant compared to Kearney. 2. Little difference in shrinkage of various vermiculites when wetted and dried. 3. Libby No. 3 Vermlculite retains approximately 25^ more water than Kearney No. 3. Conclusion Kearney mix likely to be over-watered at regular water ratio. (Kraus, Legal) IMPROVED VEBMICULITE EXPANSION (Project 2682) The objective of this project is improving the yield of vermiculite by chemical treatment of the ore. Work at both WRC and Enoree, South Carolina has shown that Allen ore can be upgraded to expand in a manner similar to the standard Waldreo ore by treatment with 20^ diammonlum phosphate (DAP) solution. Attempts have been made to reduce raw material costs. It has shown that a 5^ DAP solution plus a surfactant will give substantially equiv alent results as the 20^ solution. The amount of DAP left as a residue on the vermlculite has been reduced by about 25j6. DAP treatment of Virginia Vermlculite ore has shown that two out of three samples were improved by 5~10^. The third showed a neg ative effect which is puzzling. Further work is required to resolve this. A few exploratory tests were made to determine the properties of the Allen chemically treated vermlculite in ZIC and Mono-Kote. The moisture-retention properties of the treated vermlculite are substantially different from the regular Waldrep type. It is not known whether or not this is due to the basic differences in the properties of the Allen vermlculite Itself or to the treatment. This will be resolved. The properties of the ZIC and Mono-Kote were substantially the same as normal after the amount of water used in their composition was reduced. A comprehensive KPA is being prepared to cover full development of this process. (Brown, Legal) 15208089